Blink 182 is back and it's almost like they never left
Finally. The long anticipated Blink-182 concert, that we all can agree was long overdue, came to town. When a band as influential as they are, takes such a long hiatus from being the OG group, it’s a loss for the entire music scene. Metallic is to metal what Blink 182 is to punk. Enema of the State? That’s their Masters of Puppets. And let's be real, how can you not love a group with two equally brilliant songwriters and one of the most badass drummers of our generation? It’s such a rare trio. It's hard to decide who is the most talented. Honestly, the all are in their own way.
The kicked off the concert with Anthem Part Two from the band's fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). They quickly followed up with a heavy hitter. The energy from The Rock Show is visible. Goosebumps being to rise across my arms as I'm immediately taken back to my youth. The band is fully in the zone. DeLonge is deeply immersed in his guitar, serving up electrifying melodic riffs one after another. It’s a clear-cut contrast from their more laid-back style in their younger years.
Although they seem different, older, Blink 182 is still Blink, 182. Family Reunion takes up to a series of youthful, a bit vulgar, but incredibly funny jokes. This is their way to include the audience in their remarkable performance. After some good laughs, the begin to play Man Overboard of and those goosebumps rise and adrenaline starts to flow. I’m once again transported back to its 2000 release, when this single confirmed that Enema of the State was far from being a one-album wonder. This song showcases just how much these two singers’ vocals complement each other – Hoppus’s deeper, soothing tone and DeLonge’s California angst-inducing higher pitch.
The setlist does a good job of taking the best songs from their three most iconic albums, and a few gems from the rest of their discography and, as most artists do, gave us a treat by playing tracks from the soon-to-be-released One More Time. At one point in the evening, they played their 2003 self-titled album and I was able to see the significance and notable this album was compare to the others. This album marked the departure from their typically lighthearted style. Songs such as I Miss You, Down and Violence was totally outside of what we were used to and I'm sure what they were use to playing. It was a complete new directions, even beyond the band’s realm. During the subsequent hiatus in 2005, their solo projects +44 and Angels and Airwaves felt like continuations of this journey.
Neighborhoods (2011) wasn’t most peoples favorite. It did not have the best reception. They played Up All Night and Ghost on the Dance Floor and these songs showcased so much of their solo material style and it was actually a treat to get to hear them live.
But let’s get to the real highlights of the night. It would be quite something if anyone managed to argue that Adam’s Song wasn’t the defining moment of this show. Following a deeply moving introduction about his battles with depression and the recent ordeal of confronting stage-four cancer – “there were times when I felt I was f***ing dying, and days when I felt like I wanted to die […] this tour and this band are saving my life a second time” – Hoppus starts to sing in the most enthralling manner, elevated by DeLonge’s completely out-of-this-world riffs and Travis Barker’s compelling drumming. It’s all so intense yet subtly delivered, his voice resonating throughout the arena like a cry for help.
When it comes to intensity, Stay Together for the Kids is probably the closest contender, but in terms of jumping off the seat and singing your heart out, What’s My Age Again? and All the Small Things are unrivaled, naturally. The former, with that immediately recognizable combination of guitar and bass in the intro, and its lyrics expressing the struggles of a generation with adulthood, is truly an all-time anthem for our generation. It’s up there with songs like Smells Like Teen Spirit
As the concert begins to wind down and the end comes near, Dammit turns out to be the surprise of the evening. Played with a more...mature rendition. It’s still raw and still takes you back, but there’s added depth, and Barker’s drumming lends a solid backbone. In a real twist, Hoppus even incorporated a bit of Taylor Swift’s We Are Never Getting Back Together, playing with the song’s breakup theme.
As far as the new tracks, Dance with Me stood out as a great live number. It's extremely catchy, and it's an instant sing-along hit, as is most their hits. Alien Exists follows and it’s evident they are in a world of their when it comes to music. No one can do it like Blink 182. You just can’t get enough of their classics, from Dumpweed to Reckless Abandon and First Date. All absolute classic hits that we will be listening to for years to come.
The band return for an encore with the title track from their reunion record, One More Time. It’s a heartfelt song for a heartfelt moment; the lyrics touchingly describe the personal struggles within the band: “From strangers to brothers, from brothers into strangers once again […] Do I have to die to hear you miss me? […] I miss you, took time, but I admit it”. Here’s hoping it marks the beginning of a new chapter for this legendary act.
